What spare parts to take when wheeling an XJ?

untchabl

untchabl

I like rocks
Joined
Mar 30, 2009
Location
Bear Creek, NC 27207
What typically breaks/fails on an XJ when out wheeling that can be repaired on the trail? Without a welder and years of wheeling ingenuity and experience:lol: cause I'm sure alot of you guys could "fix" just about anything while out there. Gonna be running 32" TSL's on d30/8.25 both open w/ 3.55's.

Just wondering what kind of parts I need to start hunting down to pack in the truck. Want to be ready for Uwharrie when they open back up. I've got a good idea about other necessary stuff to take (tools, jack, food/drink, recovery strap, jumper cables, spare tire, extra fluids, etc).
 
Don't forget the "specialty tools". Not everyone is going to carry a 36mm socket (I think that is the size) to fit the axle nut if you have to remove a front axle shaft.
JB Weld
Ujoints, various bolts and nuts, duct tape, zip ties, fuses. Driveshafts.
 
Tools:
  • Wrenches 1/4" - 3/4" | 10mm - 19mm should suffice
  • Socket set 1/2" & 3/8" drive, be sure you have at least o 12pt 12mm/13mm 1/2" sockets
  • Large pipe and/or 1/2" breaker bar
  • 36mm socket
  • Pliers set including needle nose.
  • Assortment of screwdrivers, long and short
  • High lift jack
  • Lug wrench
  • C-clamp large enough to compress caliper pistons
  • 2" wide (or larger) ratchet strap
  • Spare tire
  • Recovery strap
  • Tree saver strap
  • Jumper cables

Parts:
  • Front axle shafts, especially driver side. These break ALL THE DAMN TIME!
  • Rear axle shafts, just in case. Unlikely you'll break one in an open 8.25, but you never know.
  • U-joints for front and rear shafts
  • Drive shafts
  • Bolts to replace unit bearing bolts, these shear off when your joints break.
  • Tire plugs
  • Valve stems

Misc:
  • Can or two of starting fluid
  • PB Blaster
  • Fluids: Power steering, brake, transmission and oil

Starting fluid and ratchet strap are used when you break a bead. Valve stems come in handy in case yours become butchered when you break a bead too.

If I think of more I'll let ya know.
 
If I wheeled a Jeep, I'd just bring a spare one.:flipoff2:
 
untchabl said:
What's a typical price for some d30 axleshafts? Should I get auto parts store u-joints or are there aftermarket ones that are better?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't pay more than $30-$40 a piece for the shafts. Pull-a-part usually charges me for a straight truck axle after I go round and round with them that it's not a CV style axle. That ends up being around $30 after tax and core charges. As for rear shafts I'd say around $20-$30 for 27 spline and slightly more for 29 spline if yours is equipped as such.

As for the driveshaft u-joints, stick with the Spicers. I believe they're spicer 1310s. The Alloy USA ones are decent too, but the spicers are more than sufficient. Do not buy the auto store ones unless they're selling you a spicer. As far as I know they don't carry them. Should be able to pick them up at any 4wd store. If you want to forgo the u-joints you can always carry spare drive shafts with the joints in them and worry about replacing the joints later.

Quadratec is a great place to get your 1310 joints: http://www.quadratec.com/products/52302_100.htm
 
The steering linkage on them is pretty flimsy. I would carry a spare tie rod and a pickle fork to change them.
 
Easier to swap parts on a Jeep on the trail than to swap a 22r on the trail. Have several buddies with Yota's sitting around with junk 22r's.
 
Ahh yes the tie rod. If you are running the stock one be sure to bring a spare. Upgrade it asap. They indeed are very flimsy. I've seen several bend without even being touched by a rock.
 
I'd take a spare uniframe...those are known to tear
 
cltdba, thanks for all the great info so far. Next time I'm at the junkyards, I'll start pulling some d30 shafts.

What is a good tie rod to upgrade to? I'll do some searching of my own as well and see what I can find.

Sad to see all the jealousy from the Yota fan-boys. Just kidding. I'm not partial, I've had a few Yota's myself but for what I paid for the XJ I couldn't have bought a broke down 2wd Yota.
 
We have a spare set of junkyard axles with the unit bearings still on them, that way no 36mm? socket is needed. The tie rod is a necessity, maybe a spare belt, being open/open i don't see breaking axles being a common occurance, just make sure your ujoints are in good shape.
 
I'd recommend going with a complete HD kit, but you can upgrade just the tie rod. You'll have to find a tie rod that will accept the OEM tie rod ends or purchase tie rod ends that fit it and still bolt up to the stock system. I don't have much knowledge on the HD kits as mine already had one installed when I bought it. I know Currie and JCR make good kits. That's about the extent of my knowledge, sorry.

JCR kits: http://www.jcroffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=S6

Currie kit: http://www.currieenterprises.com/CESTORE/product.aspx?id=1219
 
Some other things not specifically mentioned, but depending on your vehicles general condition or if you trailer/tow vs drive to the trails, you may just want to replace a few items.

How old is the belt?
Are you on the original Alternator with 250k?
How old are the hoses ?
Water Pump ?
These things are common fail items on any rig and sitting around idling all day makes along with Murphy's Law means they will go out at the worst possible time.

Other parts...
Duck Tape
Zip Ties.
Electrical tape.
Hose Clamps (I get the ones that can tighten all the way down, so a large clamp can be used on a small hose if needed.
Good Quality plastic bags. - 1gal zip locks. These can be used for drain bags for catching/saving fluids. Sealed up and easily stored for the return trip.
 
not much left other than....a camera so at least you have pictures to share with everyone else it makes the carnage a little more worth it IMO
 
I'll definitely be taking the digi cam with me.

Yager, I'll be giving the truck a full tune-up before April. But it's very reliable as is, drive it daily and take it to the mountains snowboarding.
 
I carry a spare CPS along with all the mentioned stuff!!
 
Key items to have

you need to think past just tools.....

Cell phone
flashlight (with extra batteries)
extra fuses
rain gear
warm clothes ( in case you get wet plus sleeping in you rig is not unheard of)
spare socks
food/water
first aid kit
fire extinguisher
AAA membership card with towing (best insurance you can buy)
 
Motorman said:
you need to think past just tools.....

Cell phone
flashlight (with extra batteries)
extra fuses
rain gear
warm clothes ( in case you get wet plus sleeping in you rig is not unheard of)
spare socks
food/water
first aid kit
fire extinguisher
AAA membership card with towing (best insurance you can buy)
Click to expand...

x2 though Geico gives me towing so I don't need AAA. :) I always bring a spare set of clothes. Everytime I didn't I ended up muddy and cold.
 
Motorman said:
you need to think past just tools.....

Cell phone
flashlight (with extra batteries)
extra fuses
rain gear
warm clothes ( in case you get wet plus sleeping in you rig is not unheard of)
spare socks
food/water
first aid kit
fire extinguisher
AAA membership card with towing (best insurance you can buy)
Click to expand...

I had planned on most of that, although I didn't think of extra fuses. Already have a fire extinguisher and flashlight in the rig. Gonna have to skip the AAA membership, although if I go wheeling I will trailer the rig there.

Good call on the spare key, didn't think of that either.

And I definitely have a couple good buddies to call although one of them will probably be with me most of the time anyway. Can always give good ole' Dad a call if I'm broke down or stuck somewhere.
 
Speicial buddy

Picture above is most recent time where a "special buddy", John Herr, bailed my ass out(along with the rest of the CNC club) after a broken hub left me on the side of Mason Jar in Harlan. Once of the many perks of being in a great club.

And yes, good ole' Dad. I resemble that remark. Dad's are great for all kinds of things. The ultimate backup being one.
 
Planning a junkyard trip tomorrow. Hopefully they will have a few XJ's to snag parts off of.

Are all the XJ D30's the same, as long as they aren't vac-disco?
 
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